Apparatus and method for forming caps for receptacles



APPARATUS AND METHOD FORr ORMING' CAPSFOR RECEPTACLES `Filed Feb. 1, '195: 9 snee-tssheet' 1v F. s. BELL Filed Feb.` l, 1935' QI Sheets-Sheet F. S. BELL Dmy 3,' `1935.

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMING CAPS FR RECEPTACLES 9 Sheets-Sheet 3l Filed Fab. 1, 19.55

Dec. 3, 1935. l Fjs, BELL 2,022,949

APPARATUS ND METHOD FOR FORMING CAPS FOR RECEPTACLES Filed Feb; 1, 1933 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 E 'i f7 68 84 Q 63m", i142 124 l 58 Q d v 0 Z y 65.- 7071 v0 w 8,22 w 74a; 7i o l 67 am" g J Q E 5 O d F. S. BELL Dec. 3, 1935.

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMING CAPS FOR RECPTAGLES 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 1, 193sl lm 6W a f Y @A v7 W@ M A w u A y A n 9x3 aww,

F. S. BELL Dec. 3, 1935. '2,022,949

' .APPARATUS AND uETHoD Fon FORMING cAPs Fon ncEPTAcLEs lli il D. 3, 1935. E s, BELL 2,022,949.

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMING CAPs Fon REcEPTAcLl-:s

Filed Feb. 1, 1953 9 Sheets-Sheet '7 Av a 195 mill! y Fjs. BELL 2,022,949 APPARATUS AND METOD FOR FORMING C AP'S FOR RECILPIACLIESA Der 3. 1935.

" 9 sheets-sheet s vFiled Feb; 1, 1933 /M//M Y Dem 3,1935. Y Fjs, BELL, i 2,022,949 A APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMING cApsFoR RECEPTACLES Filed'Feb. 1, 1953 9 sheets-sheet 9 atentecl Dec. 3, 1935 STATES l PATENT oli-Fica APPARATUS AND METHOD Foa FoaMrNo cars Foa nEcEr'rAcLEs Frank S. Bell, Baltimore, Md., assigner to Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc., Baltimore, Md., a corporation of New York Application February 1, 193s, serial No. 654,750

iz claims'. 01.' 15s-72) apparatus and methods in use at the present time. Another important object of the invention is to provide a process and apparatus for producing w caps in such a manner `that the finished caps will have no thin or weakened areas such as would induce cracking of the material or marring ofv the finish of the caps.

A further object of the invention is to provide 35 a machine and dies therefor, by means of which the blank cap is shaped into finished form by what is, in effect, a folding of the metal 'as distinguished from the operations performed by machines now in use, which operations distend 20 the metal and stretch and weaken the material.

This object .is accomplished by feeding an oversized blank to the machine and shrinking the blank while folding the material therein and without decreasing the thickness of the mate- 25 rial.

The method and apparatus of my invention particularly relate to the formation of caps for receptacles during movement of the cap blank in a straight line or rectilinear direction, during 3o which movement the cap blank is rotated in` contact with a die.

My novel method and apparatus, in a more particular embodiment of the invention, comprise the movement of, and means to move,J the cap 35 blanks in opposite directions upon a mandrel or carrier preferably having an orbital path, vthe caps moving, while being rotated, along portions of this path and being caused to contact with a iixed die. The particular advantage of this 4o method and apparatus resides in the fact that but one moving unit forms at least one cap during one direction of movement with respect to a xed die and produces at least one other capl blank during its opposite or return movement i5 when it is moving past a second fixed die. The method, therefore, results in the production of at least double the usual quantity of finished capl upon a single machine occupying an amount of oor space substantially equal to that of the 50 yusual machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide various types of cooperating dies, the respective types of cooperating dies being designed to form lugged, threaded and crown caps from either 55 plain cup-shaped cap blanks o r from cap blanks which have been preformed, i. e. previously partially formed to finishedy shape. In the following specification, it is to be understood that the term cap blank includes either plain or preformed cap blanks. 5

Lugged caps vmay be produced by means of one of the types of cooperating dies referred to above,

these dies being formed to manufacture caps of this type at a high rate of production, the cooperating dies being so designed that the caps produced thereby will not be marred'or improperly formed during their passage through the dies.

Threaded caps are formed by another type of cooperating dies, these dies being particularly designed to form a threaded cap wherein the thread is provided with a hook-shaped shelf of the type disclosed in the application of Eric B. Kramer, Serial No. 552,494, filed July 22, 1931. Caps of this type may be formed by thevdies of my invention at a maximum rate of production and with a minimum possibility of malformation of the caps.

Crown caps may be formed by a third type of cooperating dies included in my invention.

The crowning caps generally -used by bottlers are formed with a rounded or convex top surface. The rounded top surface of the completed cap is preferably incorporated in the cap blank as an initial step in the process of forming the blank and it has heretofore been difficult to handle such blank for the reason that the rounded top surface of the blank has caused the blank to have a rocking movement with respectv to the cooperating dies by which the blank is subsequently acted upon to give it a finished form. ln the form of cooperating dies included in the present invention, the dies are so designed that the cap blank can have no rocking movement with respect to the dies. The invention preferably includes a holding means, in addition to the co- 4@ operating dies, which will assist in holding the cap blank against any improper movement with -respect to the dies.

In connection with the provision of cooperating dies for forming a crown cap, the invention also contemplates the provision of dies whereby a crown cap having a wired edge may be formed.

The lower edges of the skirts of crown caps are usually sharp and of 'relatively unfinished form. 'I'his sharp edge vdetracts from the appearance 50 of the cap and occasionally results in injury to persons handling the cap blank. The skirts of caps of this type are sometimes distorted during the operation of prizing them from a container, particularly if the cap is formed of relatively thin metal. This results. in distortion of the cap and prevents it from being replaced upon a partialn ly filled bott1e or, if it can be replaced, the container is not properly sealed.

The dies of the present invention may include means to wire the lower edge of the skirt of a crown cap, thereby substantially improving its appearance and also reinforcing the lower edge and skirt of the cap. Since the wired edge reinforces the cap, the latter may be formed of relatively thin stock, thereby reducing the cost of production.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a machine which includes means to automatically feed cap blanks to the machine and means to automatically remove the finished caps therefrom, the cap blank feeding means including an arrangement to' remove from the `path of travel of the mandrel or carrier any cap blank which is not properly positioned with respect thereto. Y L

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus in which the dies may be readily changed to permit the formation of a number of different types of caps for containers.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the machine with parts broken away.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the machine, with parts removed.

Figure 3 is a detail sectional view on vthe line 3-3 of Figure 2 showing the means for removing the caps from the machine.

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the machine with the upper portion thereof in central longitudinal vertical section on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a transverse vertical sectional view p Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9 showing a further step in theformation of a cap of the lug type.

Figure 11 is a detail horizontal sectional view on the line II-H of Figure 10. y

Figure 12 is a side elevation of the cap forme by the operation illustrated in Figures 9 to 11 inclusive.

Figure 13 isv a detail view in horizontal section of a type of stationary die which may be used in the machine. h

Figure 14 is a detail front elevation of the die shown in Figure 13. i

Figure. 15 is a detail transverse vertical sectional view showing a step in the formation of a screw cap. i

Figure 16 is a view similar to Figure 15 showing a subsequent step in the formation of a screw al view showing a Imeans for wiring the preformed cap blank shown in Figures 20 and 21.

Figure 19 is a detail horizontal sectional view showing the wiring die used in Figure 18. v

Fignure 20 is a plan view of the preformed cap 5 blank operated upon by the method and die used in Figures 18 and 19.

Figure 21 is a vertical sectional'view of the cap blank shown in Figure 20.

Figure 22 is a plan view of another type of cap 10 blank.

Figure 23 is a vertical sectional view of the cap blank shown in Figure 22.

Figure 24 is a detail transverse vertical sectional viewshowing one step in the formation of the 15 completed cap shown in Figure 27 from the cap blank of Figures 22 and 23.

Figure 25 is a detail vertical sectional view showing a subsequent step in the formation of the cap shown in Figure 27. 20

Figure 26 is a detail yhorizontal sectional view showing the dies used in Figures 24 and 25 in the formation of the cap blank of Figure 27, and

Figure 27 is a side elevation of the cap formed by the dies of Figures 24 to 26. 25

The `machine of the present invention comprises a base table 40 supported upon standards 4I, and having a central casting or fixed element 42 secured upon its upper surface. As is best shown in Figure 2, the fixed element 42 is pref- 30 erably hollow and at its lower portion, in horizontal plane, has the form of a iiattened ellipse,

i. e., an ellipse in which the sides parallel with the major axis are straight. It will be understood that the fixed element 42 may also be re- 35 l garded as oblong,- and, furthermore, may have any other suitable configuration. In the embodiment shown, the straight side walls of the casting 42 are indicated bythe numerals 43 and 44, respectively, while the curved end walls are 40 designated by the numerals 45 and 46, respec.- tively.

Figure 4 illustrates an arrangement for holding the central casting or fixed element 42 rigid upon and in proper register with respect to the 45 base table 40. A keyway 40 extends transversely of the table 40 and a key 42 projecting downwardly from the side wall 44 of the central casting 42 ts into the keyway. Sincethe keyway and key extend at right angles to the major axis 50 of the machine, the central casting is thereby properly positioned with respect to this axis.

A driving motor 41 is supportedbeneath the base table 40, and, through suitable reduction gearing 48, drives a vertical shaft 49, which shaft, 55 as shown in Figure 4, is journailed in the reduction gearing casing. The shaft 49 extends up through an aperture in the base table 40 into the interior of the central casting 42, closely adjacent the end 45 thereof. An automatic release 60 clutch, generally indicated by the numeral 50, is preferably provided upon the shaft 49 and a relatively large sprocket wheel 5| is carried by the shaft. 'I'he sprocket wheel 5I is fixed to a. flange at the lower end of a sleeve 52 which normally 65 rotates with the shaft 49, the sleeve 52 resting `on a collar 53a fixed to shaft 49. A collar 53 is provided about the sleeve 52. The upper end of collar 53 is normally held up past the upper end of the sleeve 52 by a coil spring 54 surround- 70 ing the collar, the upper end of the spring bearing against a projecting iiange 55 about the upper end of collar 53 while 'the lower end of the spring bears against Ithe upper surface of the sprocket wheel 5|. A pin 56 is fixed to and ex- 75 tends diametrically through the upper end of the shaft 49, the outer ends of the pin being normally seated in notches 51 in the upper end of the collar 53. The sleeve 52 and collar 53 are keyed together by vertical keys 58.

As is best shown in Figure 5, the notches 51 in the upper end of the collar 53 are provided on one side with a straight upstanding wall, while the opposite side wall 51a of the notch ls inclined, the upper portion of the wall 51a being less sharply inclined than the lower portion. The ends oi the pin 56 which fit into the notches 51 exert driving pressure upon the collar 53 against the lower or driving portion of the inclined walls 51a., thev inclination of the lower portion of the wall 51a being suciently steep to ordinarily prevent the pin from exerting downward pressure upon the collar 53.

When an overload occurs in the machine, causing the sprocket wheel 5| to move more slowly or to stop altogether, the continued movement of the driving pin 56 will exert pressure against the inclined wall 51a of the notch to depress the collar 53, with the result that the pin will move about upon the upper end of the collar 53. This arrangement to release the driving connection Ybetween the shaft 49 and the collar 53 will prevent damage to either the machine parts or the motor and gearing. The provision of the inclined wall 51a. upon the notch 51 has a further advantage in that if the notch were provided with two straight and vertical walls, the continued rotation of the shaft 49 and pin 56 upon the collar 53 while the latter is held stationary wouldy permit the pin to drop down into the notch and again liave to be released. However, the provision of the inclined wall 51a on the side of the notch toward which the pin 56 is moving will merely permit the pin to ride across the notch without dropping sufficiently far into the notch to touch the more steeply inclined lower portion or driving angle of the notch. When the machine comes to a full stop, and the overload condition is corrected, the pin 56, in its normal rotavfion, will drop entirely into the notch 51.

A second or driven sprocket wheel 59 of the same diameter as the drive sprocket 5|, is rotatably carried upon the lower end of an axle 60 mounted in a boss 6| at the end 46 of the central casting 42. The sprocket wheels 5| and 59 are positioned in horizontal slots or cut-out portions 62 in the ends 45 and 45 of the central casting 42 and the lower run 63 of an endless double sprocket chain 64 encircles the driving sprocket wheel 5| and driven sprocket wheel 59.

In order to permit take-up of wear in the sprocket chain 64, means is provided to permit the casing of the gear reduction device 48, in which the driving shaft 49 is journalled, to be moved along the major axis of the base table 4|). The adjusting means comprises a pair of lugs 'or shoulders 48a, one fixed to each side of the under surface of the base table 40 adjacent the inner side of the casing of the reduction gearing 48. Horizontal set screws 49a extend through the lugs. Stop pins 50a are i'lxed inthe under surface of the base table adjacent the outer side of the gear reduction casing. The bolts 5|a which hold the gear reduction casing to the base table extend through slots in the flange 52a at the upper end of the gear reduction casing.

To take up wear in the chain 64, it'is only necessary to loosen the bolts 5|a and tighten up on the set screws 49a. The pins 50a determine the extreme limit of movement of the gear reduction casing.

Lock nuts may be provided on the set screws 49a and a key and keyway arrangement, not shown, may be provided in the upper surface of 5 the ange 52a and the lower surface of the base table to insure proper directional ni'ovement of the gear reduction casing and shaft 49 during the adjustment. l

The sprocket 59 is bolted to a flange project- 10 ing from a sleeve 25|, the sleeve 25| being provided with a journal bushing 252 in order that the sleeve may be freely rotatable upon the axle 60. A collar 253 is fixed to the extreme lower end of the. axle to hold the sleevein proper vertical 15 position thereon. A flange 254 is provided intermediate the length of the axle 60 between the upper end of the sleeve 25| and the lower surface of the boss 6|. The upper portion 255 of the axle 60 is eccentric with respect to the lower portion 20 on which the sleeve 25| rotates and ts in an eccentric bore in a bushing 256. The bushing 256 carries a collar 251 at its upper end, and the collar is held to the axle 69 by a pin 258. The collar 251 has circumferentially spaced radial 25 notches on its lower surface to correspond to radial notches spaced about the upper surface of the boss 6|. The axle 60 is provided with nuts 259 on its upper end to hold it in adjusted posit'on in the boss 6| and an oil cup may be pro- 30 vided on the upper end of the axle to permit ow of lubricant to the journal 252. One or more radially arranged set screws 260 may be provided in the boss 6|, as shown, to hold the bushing 256 against rotation. The extreme lower end of the 35 axle 6i) may also be squared as shown at 26| to permit the axle to be'engaged by a wrench so that it may be turned for adjustment.

In order to take up slack in the sprocket chain 64, the nuts 259 are loosened and a wrench is 40 applied to the squared portion 26| of the axle 60 to rotate the latter and the cellar 251 with respect to the bushing 256 andthe upper surface of the boss 6| to the desired degree. The nuts 259 and collar 251 are then removed and the set 45 screws 260 loosened and a Spanner wrench applied to notches (not shown) in the upper end of the bushing 255 to rotate the latter in a direction opposite to that in which the axle 60 was rotated and to the same degree that the axle was rotated. 50 The rotation of the axle and the bushing 256 in opposite directions and to the same extent will cause the position cf the axle to be varied along the major axis of the machine. The provision of the notches on the upper end of the boss 6| 55 will serve to indicate the degree of rotation of the axle for the subsequentl rotation of the bushing.

The adjustment of the axle 60 which can thus be obtained, plus that which can be obtained at the driving shaft 49 in the manner already de- 60 scribed, is suicient to take up enough slack in the chain to take care of one pitch of the chain. Consequently, when the chain stretches one pitch in length, one link can be removed and the shaft 49 and axle 6|) moved back to their 65 original positionsto accommodate the shortened chain.

' A plurality of upstanding posts 65 are spaced about the periphery of the base table 49, the

posts being equidistantly spaced from the outer 70 surface of the xed element or central casting l 42. An upper endless rail 66 having its inner surface in the form of a flattened ellipse is fixed upon the inner surfaces of the posts 65 adjacent the upper ends of the posts and a lower end- 75 less rail 61 of the same formation is xed to the posts 65 intermediate the .base table 48 and the upper rail 66. The rails 66 and 61 may be formed in sections and held in alignment by means of bolts 66' in the posts 65. The inner edges of hold down plates 68 positioned opposite the side walls 43 and 44 are supported upon the upper and outer surfaces of the side walls 43 and 44 of the central casting 42 in a manner hereinafter described, the outer edges of the plates 68 being fixed to the adjacent posts 65. In order to more securely brace the upper ends of the posts 65, horizontal bracing members 69 extend from the upper ends of the posts l|55 and above the hold-down plates to the central casting 42K. Similar bracing members are provided between the end walls 45 and 46 and the posts 65 opposite these walls.

About a trackway 10 formed by the rails 66 and 61 land rails, hereinafter described, provided upon the outer periphery of the central casting 42 are positioned circumferentially spaced mandrels or carriers indicated bythe numeral 1|. The lower end of each of the mandrels 1| has a small sprocket wheel 12 ixed thereto by a taper pin or the like, the sprockets 12 engaging the upper run 13 of the double sprocket chain 64. The mandrels 1| are also provided, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, with upper and lower rollers 14, which rollers are preferably anti-frictionally journalled upon the'mandrels 1|. Intermediate the sprocket wheel' 12 and the `lower roller 14 of each of the mandrels 1| .there is fixed a pinion 15, which meshes with a rail or rack 16 of endless formation secured upon a shoulder 11 which extends outwardly from the periphery of the central casting 42. Each of the mandrels 'Il is also provided with an upper pinion 18 preferably mounted immediately beneath the upper roller 14 and which pinion meshes with an upper rail or rack 19 of endless form-ation, which, with a rail 88, is fixed between shoulders 8| and 82, provided about the walls of the central'casting 42. The lrail is of endless formation and is provided with a groove 83 in its outer periphery. A flange'84 upon each of the mandrels 1 I, which flange is preferably between the upper and lower rollers 14, is adapted to closely fit within the groove 83 of the rail 80. The flange 84 has a diameter equal tothe respective pitch diameters of the pinions 15 and 18, providing a perfect rolling action.

The racks 16 and 19 and rail 80 may be formed in sections, the curved end racks preferably being perfect half gears. The sections may be held together by dowels or screws and the racks and rail may be properly aligned by means of the bolts 19' shown in Figure 4. Screws, not shown, threaded in the shoulders 11 and 82 may be provided to lock the racks and rail in position.

By the above arrangement, upon movement of the double sprocket chain 64 by reason of the rotation of the large driving sprocket 5|, the mandrels 1| will be moved about in the trackway 10. The engagement of the upper run '13 of the double sprocket chain 64 with the sprocket wheels 12 of the mandrels will cause the mandrels to be moved about the'track-way and will also hold them equidstantly spaced apart. The upper and lower gears or pinions 18 and 'l5 respectively engaging the upper and lower racks 19 and 16 will cause the mandrels to be positively rotated and will hold them in properly aligned vertical position. The racks and pinions are also arranged in such a manner that the movement of the mandrels will be timed, so that, in the repeated movements of the mandrels about the machine, any given tooth of a mandrel pinion will repeatedly mesh with the same 5 gear rack teeth. The anti-frictionally mounted rollers 14 engaging the upper and lower rails 66 and 61 will permit the mandrels to rotate` without friction and will also prevent the mandrels from having an outward movement with 10 respect to the central casting 4 2. The grooved flanges 84 of the mandrels in engagement with the inner grooved rail 80 will prevent the mandrels from moving inwardly with respect to the central casting and will also prevent the man- 15 drels from having any vertical movement. A rail 61', beneath the lower rail 61 and opposite the side walls 43 and 44 of the central casting 42, holds the chain 64 in position against the sprockets 12 so that they will mesh and to prevent 20 the chain from sagging out from the teeth.

As shown in Figure 5, the inner race of the anti-friction bearings of the upper roller 14 is carried on a sleeve 1|a which rests upon the upper end of the upper pinion 18. The sleeve lla 25 has a shoulder at its lower end upon which the raceway rests. A collar 12a rests upon a shoulder about lthe mandrel and projects past the sleeve, as shown, to hold the raceway in position thereon. The sleeve 1|a and collar 12a are held in position 30 by the die head structure generally indicated by the numeral 85 which is carried at the upper end of each of the mandrels and is hereinafter described in detail. The inner race-way of each of the antifriction bearings of the lower roller 14 35 is held between two anged sleeves 14a formed of vertically split sections held together and down upon the pinion 15 by a pin extending through the mandrel.

As is best shown in Figures l, 5, 9 and l0, the 40 greatest external diameter of each of the die heads 85 is smaller than the smallest internal diameter of the finished cap to be formed on the die-head and the diameter of the heads is the same as the pitch diameter of the pinions 15 and 45 18.

Fixed dies generally indicated by the numerals 86 and 81, respectively, are secured upon the shoulders 88 projecting from the upper portion of the outer surfaces of the respective side walls 50 43 and 44 of the fixed element 42 by vertical bolts, as is best shown in Figures 2 and 5. The inner ends of the hold-down plates 68 are held upon the dies 86 and 81.

Cap blanks are positioned upon the die heads 55 85 of the mandrel 1| by cap blank feeding mechanisms generally indicated by the numerals 89 and 90, respectively, one of these mechanisms being provided adjacent the approach end of each of the fixed die members 86 and 81. 60

The cap blank feeding mechanism 89 and 90 are both of exactly similar construction but face in opposite directions as shown in Figure 1, so that cap blanks may be moved therefrom by the mandrels in their approach toward the respective 65 vided having plates 95 and 96 extending inwardly therefrom as shown in that figure to form a passageway for cap blanks. The inner and adjacent ends of the plates 95 and 96 are spaced apart so that the cap blanks within the chute will be visible to the operator.

It will be understood that the chutes 9| may be arranged in any desired manner and, if necessary, may extend directly from the press by which the cap blanks are formed.

'l'he passageway provided for cap blanks in the chutes 9| is aligned with a cap blank passageway 91 which extends through thechamber 92 at a downward inclination, as shown in Figures 1 The cap blanks may be presented in the chute 9| in any suitable manner and will, by gravity, move down into the passageway 91 through the chamber 92.

As is best shown in Figures 6 and 7, means is provided in an opening 92" in the outer side wall of the chamber 92 to control the feeding of the cap blanks tothe die heads 85 of the mandrels 1|. 'I'he upper surface of the upper rail 66 is cut away at |00 beneath-the chamber 92 and a trip lever 0| pivoted on a shouldered stud |02 on the upper surface of the cut-out portion has its inner surface |03 4normally projecting past the inner side of the rail 66 into the trackway 10 beneath the plates 95 and 96 of the passageway l91 as best shown in Figures 7 and 8. Trip lever |0| includes a projection |04 on its outer side intermediate its ends and is provided with anaperture |05 into which projects an eccentric |06 .including a pin |01 which is iitted in a vertical bore in the rail 66. The pin |01 may bemanually rotated to vary the position of the eccentric |06 to adjust the range of horizontal movement of the trip lever |0| with respect to the rail 66 and, in turn, the movement of the holding levers hereinafter described. A downwardly projecting pin. |08 car` ried at the free end of a lever |09 pivoted upo'n a shouldered stud ||0 carried by the chamber 92 bears against the surface |04 of trip lever |01 in the cut-out portion |90 of the rail 66. Lever- |09 also has fixed thereto an upstanding stud having the outer end of a coil spring ||2 secured toits upper end. 'I'he coil spring ||2 extends across the upper surface of the chamber 92 and its inner end is attached to a pin 3 at the inner edge of the chamber. Lever |09 is provided interi mediate its length with a slot ||4 (Figure '1) into which extends a downwardly projecting pin ||5 having a shoulder ||5a. the portion of the pin above the shoulder being rotatable in a bore in the lever H6. Lever 6 is pivoted upon a shouldered stud I I1 fixed on the underside of the upper wall of the opening 92 of chamber 92.

A link ||9 having vone end pivotally connected to the pin H5 extending through the outer end of the rear holding lever ||6 has its opposite end pivotally connected to a pin |20 provided inter' ing the vertical wall of the cap blank. The rear holding lever ||6 is held outof the passageway 91. It will be noted that in this position, the wall of the blank will engage the shoulder 98, prevent- 4-ing the ange of the blank from being pressed 5 against the inner side wall of the passage 91 and thereby bent.

The operation of the cap blank feeding mechanism is as follows:

With the machine` in operation and theflo mandrels 1| moving about in the trackway 10,

when a mandrel moves beneath one of the feeding mechanism chambers 92, the upper and outer periphery of the upper roller 14 of the mandrel will contact with the inner surface |03 of the trip 15 lever |0|. At the same moment, the die head of the mandrel will' move into the interior of the lowermost cap blank indicated at position A, the cap blank being downwardly inclined by reason oi the inclination of the passageway 91. The 20 outward movement of the trip lever |0| caused by the contact therewith of the roller 14 will swing the trip lever |0| upon its pivot |02 against the action of the spring ||2. The movement of trip lever |0| will force the lever 09 outwardly 25 away from passageway 91 through pressure exerted against pin fastened to lever |09 and since the latter lever is connected .to rear holding lever ||6 by'pin ||5 and'to outer holding lever |2| by means of pin ||5 and link H9, these two 30 last mentioned levers will change their position, outer holding lever |2| being moved outgof engagement with the cap blank shown in position A lwhile rear holding lever |16 will move out into the passageway 91 and into engagement with 35 the cap blank shown at position B. The cap blank previously at position A will be carried oir the lower ends of the plates 95 and 96 bythe mandrel 1| and along the trackway 10. As soon as the upper roller 14 of the mandrel moves out 40 of engagement with the inner surface |03 of the trip lever |0|, the trip lever |0|, lever |09, rear holding lever H6, and outer holding lever |2| will again be moved to the position shown in Figure 6 by the action of the spring ||2. Re- 45 traction of rear holding lever ||6 from the passageway 91 will-permit the cap blank which it has been holding at position B to move downwardly in .the passageway 91 and into contact with the `the mandrels do not engage the lowermost cap blank as the cap blanks are released from the 60 outer holding lever |2| in the manner described in the preceding paragraph. In order to prevent cap blanks which have been removed from the passageway 91 but which are not positioned upon the die heads from dropping down into the 65 machine, a wire |23 (Figs. 2 and 6) is provided on the inner side of the trackway 10 beneath the cap blank feeding mechanisms 99 and 90 and a metal plate |24 having an extended portion or strip |25 is provided on the outer side of the 70 trackway 10. The wire |23 and the strip |25 are suiciently close together that the edges of the cap blanks will straddle the same after they have been removed from the passageway 91. By this arrangement, if a cap blank is re- 75 reaches this point, it will slide down the platev |24 and out of the machine.

It will be understood that the ixed dies indicated by the numerals 86 and 81 and the die headsA of the mandrels may be of any conilguration necessaryto form cap blanks of various shapes into caps of any desired form. -However, the forms of die heads and stationary dies hereinafter referred to are preferred types of these elements which can be used with the present apparatus for forming caps of various types.

The ilXed dies 88 and 81, respectively secured upon the Walls 43 and 44 of the xed element 42, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 5, and the xed dies and moving die-heads illustrated in Figures 9 to 11, inclusive, are particularly intended for forming caps of the lug type. `Fixed die 86 is shown in. Figure 2 as comprising three (3) die elements, disposedside by side along the side wall 43 of the central casting 42. The left-hand die element |3| of this ilgure is a knurling and rst wiring die. The second die element |32 is a knurling and cond wiring die while the righthand die element |33'of Figure 2 is the lug forming die and also finishes the wiring and knurling. It will be understood that the iixed dies 81 on the side wall 44 of the ilxed casting of the machine comprising die elements similar to those just described but the die elements |3I', |32 and |33 on the side wall 44 are arranged in order from right to left with respect to Figure 2 or in reverse direction to those on the side wall 43 so that the first Wiring die |3I' on side wall 44 will be adjacent the cap blank feeding mechanism on that side of the machine. 'Ihe structure of the die elements on side wall 44 wil, therefore, be apparent from the following description of the die elements on side wall 43.

Figure 9 illustrates the preferred detail construction of the second wiring andV knurling die element |32 and Figure 10 illustrates the detailed construction of` the lug forming die element |33, both these Views being in vertical section. The second wiring die element y|32 comprises a lower die member |34 which rests directly upon the shoulder 88 of the xed element. or central casting 42. A finishing Wiring groove |35 is provided in the outer edge |36 of the die member |34. A knurling die member |31 rests upon the die plate |34, its outer edge being corrugated or toothed so that 'it will knurl the die blank in a manner hereinafter described. A plate or shim |38 bears upon the die member |31 and spaces the latter plate from the hold-down plate S8. If desired, the plate |38 and member |31 may be made integra-l.

The first wiring and knurling die element 3| is exactly similar to the second wiring and knuring die element shown in Figure 9 and just described, with the exception that the left-hand end of its knurling die member has a lead-in portion in which the knurling teeth have gradually increasing depth. Also, the wiring groove of the irst die element |3| corresponding to wiring groove |35 of the element |32 is deeper than the latter wiring groove; in other words, the iirst wiring die element |3| is a preliminary `wiring die while the second wiring die element 32 gives the wiring of the cap blank its final form. In front elevation, die elements |3| and 32 are similar to the two wiring and knurling dies |8| and |82 shown in Figure 14.

The lug forming die element |33 shown in 5 cross-section in Figure 10, includes a lower member |39, which rests directly on the shoulder 88 of casting 42. Two lug forming tools or blades |40 and |4| are secured in grooves in the plate |39 and are properly spaced apart along the plate to form diametrically opposite lugs in the finished cap as hereinafter described. The lug 'forming blades are held in proper outer position by threaded studs |40' (Figure 5) adiustable in threaded bores |4|' in the upper portion of the fixed element 42, the inner ends ol? the studs bearing against the rear edges of the blades |40 and 4|. A knurling die member |42 similar to knurling die member |31 is secured above the lug forming tools or blades |40 and |4| as shown, and a plate |43 spaces the knurling die member |42 from the hold-down plates 88 and also varies the oiset above the knurling on the cap blank. The position of the plate |43, like that of all oi' the parts of the die elements, may be adjusted 25 as desired to vary the configuration oi' the caps to be formed `on the machine. The wiring grooves |35 of the die elements |3| and |32 are, of course, horizontally aligned with each other and with the lug forming blades |40 and |4|. 30 The knurling members |31 and |42 are also in horizontal alignment and a wiring groove similar to the wiring groove |35 of die element |32 extends across the plate |39 of the lug-forming die |33 to prevent the wiring on the cap blank 35 rangement causes the depth of the knurling of 45 the cap blank to be gradually increased. 'I'he teeth at the extreme right hand end of the knurling member 'of lug-forming die element |33 are tapered off to form a lead-out portion.

The moving die head 85 carried at the upper 50 end of each of the mandrels 1| is also illusktrated in detail in Figures 9 and 10 and in Figure 11. Referring to Figures 9 and 10, it will be noted that the diehead 85 comprises an upper or knurling die member |45 of cylindrical form 55 and a lower die |48 of similar form, but provided with a flange |46' which is adapted to be opposite the lower portion of the cap blank. Both the members |45 and |46 are keyed at |41 to the reduced upper end |48 of the mandrel 1| and 60 are held on the upper end of the mandrel by means of a machine screw I 4 9 threaded into the upper end of the mandrel. A locking taper pin |50 is passed through al clearance hole in the lower die |46 to lock the machine screw |49 to 65 the mandrel head" |48. The die head 85 is of less diameter than the interior of the cap blank C, as has been previously stated.

In the operation of forming the cap blank C (Figures 9, 10"`and 11) into a finished cap C"70 (Figure 12), the cap blank C is moved against and along the rst wiring and knurling die |3| anddue to. the rotation of the mandrel 1|, the cap blank C will be rolled along the iixed die.

Corrugations or teeth |45 about the periphery of 75 v theupper or knurling member |45 o! the die head 85;will interengage with the corrugations or teeth -on the outer surface ol. the knurling plate of the fixed die |3| to knurl the cylindrical side walls of the cap blank C'at |55. `The deep wiring groove in the lower die plate of the xed die |3| will turn the ilange or skirt oi' the die blank C upwardly to the form shown at |56 in Figure 9, the flange of the cap blank being held against outward 'movement with respect to the groove by the flange |46 on member |46. As the cap blank is moved past the second xed die element |32, the corrugations on the knurling element |45 of die head 85, with the knurling which has now been formed on the cap blank C,

AWill interengage with the corrugations on the outer surface of the corrugated die member |31 of the xed element, causing the cap blank C to be rotated with respect to the iixed die element The wiring groove |35 of the fixed element will complete the preliminary wiring formed by the iirst die element giving the wiring the shape shown at |51 in Figure 9. When the mandrel 1| moves opposite the third die element |33, the moving die head 85 will cooperate with theicorrugated die member |42 to continue the timed rotation of the cap blank C and.when .the cap blank C comes opposite the first lug-forming blade |40, a section of the wired portion of the cap blank will be pressed inwardly by that blade as indicated in Figures l and 11, the timing of the elements being so arranged that the blade |40 will interengage with a depression |58 on the periphery of the flange |48 of the lower member |46 of the moving die head 85. Continued rotation of the cap blank C will cause the second lug forming blade |4| to be aligned with a depression |60 in the lower member |48 of the die head 85 to form a. second lug in the wired portion of the cap blank, which lug will be diametrlcally opposite the first lug |59. Since the cap blank C is oversized with respect to the die head 85, it will be noted that the depressions |58 and |68 in the moving member |46 are not in diametrically opposite positions,v these depressions being so spaced about the member |46 that the oversized cap blank will have the lugs properly positioned thereon. It will be understood that more than two lugs may be formed in the cap C merely by providing more depressions in the ilange |46 and using a corresponding number of lug forming tools or blades.

An important purpose ofthe knurling arrangement described is to cause the cap blank to be properly rotated with respect to the dies during the entire die forming operation. Unless this means'is provided, the cap blanks, being oversized with respect to the die head 85 of the mandrel, might slip in a turning direction with respect to the mandrel, which would result in improperly formed caps.

It will -be noted that the hold-down plate 68 prevents vertical movement of the cap blank with respect to the die members throughout the die forming operations, and in the formation of the cap, the material is folded upwardly from its lower portion throughout all of the steps of the die forming operation. This prevents any stretching of the material of the cap blank which might strain or weaken the same.

' The completed cap of the above operation is moving mechanism generally indicated by the numeral |65, one of these mechanisms being positioned at the exit end of the stationary dies 86 and 81 on the respective sides of the machine. Each of the cap removing mechanisms includes a chambcr |66 positioned above the trackway 10,

butin the path of the die heads 85, the chamber 'being supported upon the shoulder 88 of the central casting 42 and upon the opposite post 65 as best shown in Figure 2. The chamber |66 is m y provided with converging lead-in walls |680. and an upwardly inclined passageway |61 (Figure 3) which, as shown in Figure 2, is aligned with the path of movement of the die heads 85. The con-` verging lead-in walls I86a guide the' cap blank into 15 y the caps will be given a movement along the shelves by the moving die head. The rapid movement of the die heads will, in fact, throw the caps C'` along the shelves and into the passageway |61 from which passageway the caps will-pass into a chute |69 and leave the machine.

Spring pressed blocks or ratchets |18, may be provided in depressions |1| in the side walls of the passage |61 to prevent any possible return of the caps towards the trackway 10.

Figures 13 to 16, inclusive, illustrate the dies used with my machine for the purpose of forming threaded cap blanks. Referring particularly to Figures 13 and 14, the fixed die generally' indicated by the numeral |88 is preferably formed of three (3) die elements, a rst wiring andknurling die element |8|, a second wiring and knurling 40 die element |82, and a threading and knurling die element |83. These die elements are shown assembled in Figures 13 and 14, Figure 13 also illustrating the passage of the mandrels 1|, including die-heads 85 carrying cap blanks |81 past 45 the fixed die elements.

Figure 15 shows the second wiring and knurling die element |82 in vertical section and, as indicated in this figure, this die element comprises a lower die member |84 which would rest directly 50 upon the shoulder 88 of the central casting 42 of the machine. The die member |84 includes a finishing wiring groove |85. A knurling die member |86 is supported above the wiring die member |84 and the hold-down plate 68 rests uponthe 55 latter. The rst wiringr and knurling die element |8| is exactly similar to the second Wiring and knurling 'die element |82 illustrated in Figure 15, but has its knurling teeth slightly more distant from the center-line of the mandrel. Die element |8| also has a.' deeperv Wiring groove so that it will form'the flange of the cap blank indicated at |81 to the shape lshown at |88 in Figure 15. The' groove '|85 of the' second wiring and 65 knurling die |82 will form the capv blank to the finished shape indicated at |89. 'Ihe cap blanks used with the die illustrated in the Figures 13 to 1.6, inclusive, are preferably preformed, in that the upper surfaceof the cap blank is indented as shown at |90 as indicated 'in Figures 15, 16 and 17.

The operation of the rst and secondnwlring and knurling die elements |8| and |82 will be obvious from the description of the similar die elements which has been previously set forth in connection with Figures 9 and 10.

After moving past the die elements |8| and |82, the cap blank |81 will be rotated yin contact with the threading die element |83. This die element comprises a lower member |9| which rests directly upon the shoulder 88 of the central casting and which includes a thread forming projection |92 which, as indicated in Figure 14, is downwardly inclined from the approach end of the die element |83 (the left-hand end as viewedin Figure 14). The die member |9| also includes a lower cutout portion |93 to accommodate the passage of the wired edge |89 of the blank.

The die head |95 used on each of the mandrels 1| for the fcrmation of the threaded cap blanks is secured tc the mandrel in the same manner as the moving die heads 85 described in connection with Figures 9 and 10, and includes an upper or knurling flange |96 and a lower threading portion |91, the threading portion being spirally ribbed as shown in Figures 15 and 16. A lower flange |98 is provided beneath the threading portion |91 and in alignment with the lower wired edge which is to be formed upon the cap blank, this flange cooperating with the wiring groove of the fixed die to form the wired edge on the cap.

In the movement of the cap blank |811 past the threading die |83, the rib |92 on the stationary member |9| will inter-engage with the spiral rib |91 on the moving die head I 95 to form a thread 'upon the cap blank as illustrated in Figure 1.6.

Figure 16 also illustrates how the material in the cap blank is folded upwardly during this operation to form a hook-shaped thread of the type disclosed in the application of Eric B. Kramer, Serial No. 552,494', led lJuly 22, 1931. The complete cap formed by these die elements is illustrated in Figure 17 but it will be understood that caps having threads of various cross-sections may be formed by changing the dies.

Figures 18 and 19 show the moving die head and stationary die used to form a finished crown cap of the type shown at 225 in Figure `2'1 from a preformed cap blank 200 of the type illustrated in Figures 20 and 21. l

The moving die head 20| used on each of the mandrels 1| for this operation comprises a die ring 202 which rests upon a sleeve 203 having a wire supporting flange 204, as shown. The ring 202 and sleeve 203 are held upon the mandrel by a chuck screw 205 having its upper surface rounded, as shown, the chuck screw head being of the same diameter as the upper portion of the die ring 202. It will be noted that the die ring 202 is provided with serrations 206 of suitable form but which preferably slope outwardly from top to bottom as shown. A key 201 locks the ring 202 and sleeve 203 together and holds them against rotation with respect to the mandrel 1|. The chuck screw 205 is held in locked position by a taper pin 208 inserted in the manner described in connection with the die head of Figures 9 and 10.

The curvature of the upper surface of the chuck screw 205 corresponds to the curvature of the inner surface of the crown cap to be formed and finished thereon to the shape shown in Figure 27, and the configuration of the entire die head 20| is such that it exactly corresponds to the interior of the nished cap of Figure 27.

A hold-down plate 209 is provided with a groove 2 0 on its lower surface which exactly corresponds in cross section to the curvature of the finished crown cap of Figure 27. The provision of the groove 2 I0 in the hold-down plate prevents the rounded top cap blank from rocking or having any movement with respect to the die head and the stationary die. 'I'he shoulder formed by the flange 204 on sleeve 203 prevents the lower edge of the cap from being pressed inwardly.

The stationary die 2|| comprises a wiring die 1 |2 having a retainer strip 2|3 positioned above the same and beneath the hold-down plate 209, a spacer plate 2|5 being provided between wiring die'2l2 and hold-down plate 209. Springs 2M are provided between the rear or' inner surface of the retainer strip 2|3 and the front face of the spacer plate 2|5, these springs tending to hold the retainer strip 2|3 outwardly as shown in Figure 18. Upwardly projecting pins 2|6 spaced along the Wiring die 2|2 extend into slots 2|6a provided in the retainer strip 2|3 and limit the movement of the strip. The slots 2| 8a permit the strip tohave a predetermined horizontal -3 operation may be performed in two steps as de-` scribed in connection with the structure of Figures 9 and 10, in which case a relatively short lead-in would be provided on the first wiring die and a second lead-in provided on the infeed end of the second wiring die, both of these lead-ins being of substantially the same length and having substantially the same' angle. A lead-out may be provided on the extreme right-hand end of each of the three types of wiring dies described.

In the operation of the apparatus of Figures 18 and 19, a cap blank 200 of the type shown in Figures 2O andv 21 wouldk be positioned on the moving die head 20| by acap blank feeding mechanism such as those shown in Figure 6. In the event that the serrated walled cap blanks should not be deposited on themoving die head in such a manner that the ser-rations in the cap blank would correspond'to the serrations 206 of the die head, contactI of the cap blank with the hold-down plate and stationarydie would move the cap blank into proper alignment with the serrations on the moving die head. 'I'he skirt of the cap shown at the left-hand portion of the cap blank in Figure 18 would be formed into a. wired edge as shown at the right-hand portion of the cap blank of Figure 18 by rotation of the moving die head with respect to the stationary die 2| I.

With the structure described above, the cap blank cannot rock or have any movement with respect to the die head and a properly wired edge will be formed about the blank. 'I'he completed cap may be readily removed from the die head by a cap removing mechanism similar to that shown at |65 in Figures 2 and 3.

Figures 24, 25 and 26 show the stationary die and moving die head used to form a finished crown .cap of the type shown at 225 in Figure 27 from a cap blank of the type illustrated in Figures 22 and 23. The moving die head 20| used on each of the mandrels 1| for this operation is identical in construction with the die head 20| Figures 25 and 26 show a die 22a provided with a serrated die face portion 224, which die is positioned at the outfeed end of the wiring die 222 and in horizontal alignment with the latter die. 'I'he serrated portion 224 on the face of die 223 is adapted to cooperate with the serrations 206 on the moving die head to give the cap blank the form shown in Figure 27. A groove 2|9 is provided in the die member 223 in alignment with the wiring groove of wiring die 222. The extreme right-hand end is preferably tapered to form a lead-out portion 223e.

A cap blank of the type shown in Figures 22 and 23 positioned on the moving die head 20| of Figures 24 to 26, inclusive, will rst have its edge wired by movement past the stationary die 222 as described in connection with Figures 18 and 19 and its wall will then be serrated by movement past the die 223. The cap blank will be held against movement with respect to the dies by the groove 269 of the hold-down plate and its t upon the die-head, just as in Figures 18 and i9.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of construction shown in the drawings and that the examples oi the use of the apparatus and method which have been given do not include all of the uses of which the apparatus is capable o r by which the method may be followed; also, that the phraseology employed in the speciiication is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

I clairml. An apparatus of the class described comprising an element, opposed rail members carried by said element and -forming a trackway, a second element positioned in the trackway, a forming die carriedvbyv one of the elements, the other element being adapted. to support a blank, and means to move one of the elements with respect to the other -to cause the blank to'be presented to the die. n

2. An apparatus of the class described comprising an element, opposed rail members carried by saidzelernent and forming a trackway, a forming die .carried by the element, a blank carrier positioned for movement in the .trakway, and means to move the carrier in the trackway to present the blank carried thereby to the die.

3.v An apparatus of the class described comprising an element, opposed rail members carried by said element and forming a trackway, a forming die carried by the element, a blank carrier positioned for movement in the trackway, and means to movethe carrier in the trackway to present the blank carried thereby to the die and to cause the carrier to be rotated with respect to the die during such movement.

4. An apparatus of the class described comprising an element. opposed rail members carried by said element and forming a. trackway, a forming die carried, by the element, a. blank carrier positioned in the trackway, means to move the carrier in the trackway in one plane to present the blank to the die and to cause the carrier to be rotated with respect to the die duringV such movement, and means to hold the carrier and blank carried thereby against movement out of the plane in which they are moved by the last named means. l

6. An apparatus of the class described comprising a stationary element, opposed rail members carried by said element and forming an endless trackway, a forming die carried by the stationary element, blank carriers spaced about the trackway, and a driving element engaging thecarriers to cause them to be moved in the trackway to present the blanks carried thereby to the die and to be rotated with respect to the die during such movement.

7. An apparatus of the class described compris-l ing a stationary element, opposed rail members carried by said element and forming a trackway, a blank carrier positioned for movement in the Vtrackway, a forming die carried by the stationary element on one side of the trackway, and means on the other side of the trackway to move the carrier to present the blank carried thereby to the die and to cause it to rotate with respect to the die. i

8. Ari-apparatus oi the class described, comprising a stationary element, a cap forming die carried by the stationary element, carriers for supporting cap blanks, said carriers being spaced about the stationary element, means to feed cap blanks to the carriers, an endless driven element engaging the carriers to move them to present the caps carried thereby to the die and to rotate the carriers with respect to the die during their movement, and means for removing 'the caps from the carriers.

9. An apparatus of the class described comprising a stationary element, a cap forming die carried by the stationary element, a. trackway included in and extending about the stationary element, cap blank carriers spaced about the stattionary element in the' trackway, means to feed cap blanks to the carriers, an endless driving element encircling the stationary element and engaging the carriers to move them about the stationary element to present the cap blanks carried thereby to the die and rotate them with respect to the die during such movement, and means to remove the caps from the carriers.

10. An apparatus of the class described comprising a base, a stationary element carried by the base, a guide rail encircling the stationary element and spaced therefrom, a cap forming die carried by the stationary element, cap blank carriers positioned between the stationary element and the guide rail, means to feed cap blanks to the carriers, driving means engaging the carriers to move them about the stationary element to present the blanks carried thereby to the die and to cause them to rotate with respect to the die during such movement, and means to remove the caps `from the carriers. f

11. An apparatus of the class described comprising a base, a stationary element carried by the base, a guide rail carried by the stationary element, a. guide rail encirclin'g the stationary element and spaced therefrom, a cap forming die carried by the stationary element, cap blank carriers positioned between the stationary element and the last named guide rail and including means to engage both of the guide rails, a gear on each of the caniers, an endless flexible driving element encircling the stationary element and spaced therefrom to engage the gears on the carriers to vmove the carriers about the stationary element to present the cap blanks carried thereby to the die and to rotate them with respect to the die during such movement, and means secured to the base to bear upon the endless driving element to further hold the carriers in proper alignment during their movement past the die.

' 12. An apparatus of the class described, comprising a substantially oblong stationary element,

i forming dies fixed on oppositesides of the stationary element, carriers spaced about the periphery of the element, means to feed blanks to the carriers, means to move the carriers about the -opposite sides of the stationary element, carriers for receiving and supporting cap blanks spaced about the periphery of the stationary element,

means to move the carriers about the vstationary element and to rotate them with respect to the dies during their movement to present the cap blanks carried thereby to the dies, and means to remove the caps from the carriers after movement past the respective dies. l

14. An apparatus oi' the class described comprising a substantially oblong stationary element, cap blank carriers spaced about the periphery of the stationary element, a feeding mechanism fo'r cap blanks at one end of each ot the opposite sides of the stationary element, the respective feeding mechanisms being positioned at opposite ends of the stationary element, cap forming dies carried on opposite sides of the stationary element, an endless member engaging the` carriers to move them about the stationary element, a gear element xed to the stationary element, a gear carried by each of the carriers in engagement with the gear element, and means to remove the caps from the lcarriers after movement of the carriers past the respective dies.

15. An apparatus of the class described comprising a stationary element, a gear element xed to the stationary element, a cap forming die fixed to the stationary element, acap blank carrier, means to feed cap blanks to the carrier, an endless gear element surrounding the stationary element, means vto move the last named gear element, said carrier including gears engaging both of the gear elements to cause the carrier to be moved about the stationary element and simultaneously rotated to present the blanks carried thereby to the die, and means to remove caps from the carriers. A

16. An apparatus of the class described comprising a stationary element, a gear element fixed to the stationary element, a cap forming die fixed to the stationary element, a cap blank carrier, means to feed cap blanks to the earrien, an endless gear element surrounding the stationary element, means to move the last named gear element, said carrier including gears engaging both of the gear elements to cause the carrier to be moved about thestationary element and simuli' taneously rotated to present the blanks carried thereby to the die, means to prevent vertical movement of the carrier and cap blank and means 5 to remove caps from the carrier.

17. An apparatus of the class described comprising a stationary element, a plurality of cap forming' dies spaced about the stationary element, cap blank carriers positioned about the stationary element, means to feed cap blanks to the carriers positioned adjacent the approach end of each of the dies, means for removing caps from the carriers positioned adjacent the out-feed end of each of the dies, and means to move the vcarriers, to present the cap blanks carried thereby to the dies 'and to cause them to rotate during such movement.

18. An apparatus of the 4class described comprising a xed element including a cap forming 20 die having a rectilinear surface, cap blank carriers spaced along the fixed element, means to feed cap blanks tothe carriers, endless means engaging the carriers-to move the same to present the blanks to the die, means fixed to the die to cause the carriers to be rotated during their movement and means for removing caps from the carriers.

19. vin apparatus of the class described comprising a stationary element, a iixed die of straight-line formation carried by the stationary element, cap blank carriers, means to feed cap blanks to the carriers, means engaging the carriers to move the latter about the stationary ele- 4 ment to present the cap blanks to the dies during 35 a portion of their movement and to rotate the' carriers during such movement and means for removing caps from the carriers. l

20. An apparatus of the class described comprising a stationary element, opposed rail members carried by said element and forming a trackway, a cap forming die-carried by the stationary element, a cap blank carrier in the trackway, means to feed cap blanks to the carrier, endless driving means ,engaging the blank carrier to move 45 the same to present the blank to the die, means carried by the stationary element to cause the carrier to rotate in timed relation to the die, and means to remove the cap from the carrier.

21. An apparatus of the class described c om- 50 prising a stationary element, opposed rail members carried by said element and forming a track- Way, a cap forming die carried by the stationary element, a cap blank carrier positioned in the trackway, said carrier being provided with a cap 55 blank supporting portion of less diameter than the cap to be formed, endless driving means to engage and move the carrier relatively to the die to 'present the cap blank thereto, means to cause the cap blank to rotate in properly timed relation 60 with respect to the die to cause the oversized cap blank to be properly formed and means to remove the cap from the carrier. l

22. An apparatus of the class described comprising a stationary element, opposed rail menibers carried by said element and forming a trackway, a cap forming die carried by the stationary element, a cap blank carrier positioned in the trackway, means adjacent one end of the die to 70 axial movement and means to remove the' cap from the carrier.

23. An apparatus of the class described comprising a stationary cap forming die, a cap blank carrier movable with respect to the die, means to feed cap blanks to the cap blank carrier, means engaging the cap blank carrier to move the same longitudinally of the die and to cause it to be rotated to present the cap blank to the die, means to guide the movement of the cap'blankcarrier, means to hold the cap blank properly seated upon the cap blank carrier, and means'to remove caps from the carrier.

24. The combination of a cap forming machine including a stationary element and a moving cap blank carrier, oi means to feed cap blanks to the carrier, comprising a cap blank supply chute, trip means mounted on the stationary element adjacent the lower end ofthe cap blank chute and extending into the path of movement of the carrier, a cap blank holding means arranged in the chute, operative connections between the trip means and the holding means to permit feeding of the cap blanks to the cap blank carrier upon engagement of the cap blank carrier with the trip means, and means to adjust the position of the trip means with respect to the path oimovement of the cap blank carrier. e r

25. .an apparatus oi'the class described comprising a stationary die, a blank carrier movable with respect to said stationary die and including a gear, a gear element engaging the gear on the carrier to move the same, means to drive said gear element and an overload clutch between the iast named means and the gear element.

26. The combination with a cap forming machine, of means to form lug caps comprising a stationary die and a rectilinearly moving die, the moving die supporting the cap blank, lug forming Y blades spaced in the fixed die, and adjustable means to hold the lug forming blades in ilxed. position.

27. The combination with a cap forming machine, of means to form lug caps comprising a fixed die and a moving die, means to move the movingdle with respect to the nxed die and to cause it to rotate during such movement, said moving die supporting the cap blank and having a smaller diameter than the internal diameter of the cap to be formed, lug forming blades spaced in the nxed die, said moving die including depressions in its periphery spaced to be aligned with the lue forming blades of the nxed die upc rotation of the moving die.

28. The combination with a cap forming machine having a moving cap blank carrier, of means associated therewith for removing a cap fromthe carrier upon the completion of the forming operation, said means comprising xed members arranged in the path of movement of the carrier and spaced to permit the carrier to move therebetween, said members being upwardly inclined to lift the cap from vthe carrier during the movement of the carrier between the members.

29. The combination with a cap forming machine having a moving cap blank` supporting carrier, of means associated therewith for feeding cap blanks to the carrier and means to cause the removal from the path of movement of the carrier of any cap blanks released by the cap feeding means but which are not properly positioned upon the carrier.

'30. In a machine for forming caps, means to support a cap blank, a fixed die, means to move the cap blank supporting means to present a portion of the cap blank to the xed die, means to rotate the cap blank supporting means during its movement, and spring-pressed means to hold the portion of the cap blank not presented to the xed die in contact with the cap supporting means during the formation of the cap.

31. 'I'he method of simultaneously. yforming retaining means upon a plurality of caps for re-v ceptacles comprising simultaneously moving separate cap blanks along opposite sides of the or- 1o bital path of an'- endless carrier, rotating the respe'ctive cap blanks during their movement and causing them to contact with fixed die members.

32. The method of forming retaining means upon caps for receptacles comprising moving cap blanks rectilinearly along opposite sides 4of the center of the orbital path ofan endless carrier, rotating the cap blanks during their movement and causing them to contact with a rectilinear and fixed die member.

33. An apparatus of the class described comprising an element including a trackway, an element positioned in the trackway, said trackway including means to support said last named element against axial movement, a forming die 25 carried by one of the elements, the other element being adapted to support a blank, and means to move one of the elements with respect to the her to cause the blank to be presented to the e. y 34. An apparatus of the class described comprlsing an element including a trackway, a forming die carried by the element, a blank carrier positioned in the trackway, said trackway including means to support the blank carrier against axial movement, and means to move the carrier in the trackway to present the blank carried thereby to the die. i

35. An apparatus of the class described comprising an element includinga trackway, a form- 4o ing die carried by the element, a blank carrier positioned for movement in the trackway, said trackway including means to support the 'blank carrier against axial movement, and means to move the carrier in the trackway to present the i blank carried thereby to the die and to cause the .carrier to be rotated with respect to the die during such movement.

36. An apparatus of the class described comprising an element including a trackway, a forming die carried by the element, a blank 'carrier positioned for movement in the trackway, said trackway including means to support the blank carrier against axial movement, means to move the carrier to present the blank carried thereby to the die, and means fixed to the die to cause the carrier to be rotated during its movement.

37. An apparatus of the class described comprlsing an element including a trackway, a forming die carried by the element, a blank carrier positioned in the trackway, means to move the carrier in the trackway in one plane to present the blank lto the die and to cause the-carrier to be rotated with respect to the die during such movement, and means on said traokway to hold the carrier and blank carried thereby against movement out of the plane in which they are moved by the last named means.

38. An apparatus of .the class described comprising a stationary element including an endless trackway, a forming die carried by the stationary element, blank carriers spaced about the trackway, said trackway including means to support the blank carriers against axial movement, and a driving element `engaging the carriers to 'i5 sov 

